Ron's POV

When they were standing in front of the burrow a huge grin on Hermione's face, Ron couldn't help but smile just looking at her. She was so excited just to be in front of his parents house let alone inside with the people who care so much about her. Ron squeezed her hand and led her to the backdoor which most entrances were made through. They entered the kitchen and saw Mrs. Weasley at the counter with Ginny and Harry at the table.

"Hey you two!" Ginny said excitedly but she didn't get up. Harry did and he gave Hermione a huge hug. Ron left her side and kissed his sister's temple and put a hand on her round pregnant belly.

"Hello!" Ron heard Hermione say from behind him.

"You've shown up just in time would you like some lunch?" Mrs. Weasley asked after she released Hermione from a hug and moved to wrap Ron in her embrace.

"Oh that would be lovely Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said happily.

"Wow she sounds like me jumping at the idea of food any chance she gets." Ron said smiling widely. Hermione hit him on the arm playfully.

"I'm eating for two." She said scowling at him "What's your excuse?"

"Ouch! Nice one Hermione George said entering the room with Mr. Weasley on his tail.

"That's my girl." Ron said kissing her cheek.

They all ate their lunch and talked a bit but eventually Mr. Weasley stood. Boy, I believe we should get going."

"Yeah, you're right Dad." Ron said also standing Harry and George followed suit. Harry kissed Ginny and then kissed her belly and left the room with George. Mr. Weasley said goodbye to his wife and kissed her cheek. Then he too left for the sitting room. Ron looked at Hermione and to his surprise saw that she was very rigid and her eyes were full of fear. Ron figured she was trying to remain calm in front of the other woman who had just let their loves go off without any fuss at all. Ron took her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen and into the little nook that sat between the kitchen and sitting room.

"Ron. Please be careful." Hermione said looking at me extremely anxious.

"Mione, You have to calm down and stop worrying it's not good for you or the baby." Ron replied brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"I know but what if…" She started tears in her eyes.

"No, what ifs Hermione." Ron said cutting her off. "Dad is coming and Harry and even George. It's four against one. Nothing is going to happen."

"Ron, just please promise me you'll be careful." She said taking Ron's face in her hands.

Ron could feel her worry radiating off her and he knew it was very dangerous for her to be this upset. He stared at her face her jaw was clenched shut trying to keep the tears from spilling over.

"I promise Hermione. Now, if you don't let me go I can't get your wand and the sooner I go the sooner I come back. Now please, calm down." He said hugging her to him tightly. She buried her face in his chest.

"Ron! Let's go!" George called from the sitting room they were waiting for him so they could floo over to Eli's.

"I'll be back in an hour or so. I love you." Ron said and then kissed her head lightly and rubbed her belly then turned to leave. He didn't get far because Hermione yanked on his hand and pulled him back to her. She crushed her lips against his earnestly. Ron hesitated but kissed her back passionately. He could feel all her worry and love being thrown into the kiss. When she pulled back Ron saw one tear fall down her face before she ran up the stair and out of sight. Ron was worried about her and her health bur figured if he went and got it over with the sooner she would stop worrying. He took a deep breath and entered the sitting room.

"You ready, mate?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, let's hurry and get back here." Ron replied grabbing some floo powder and tossing it in the fireplace.

Hermione's POV.

Hermione was upstairs laying on Ron's bed. Her head on his pillow and her hand gripped his blankets tightly. She was no longer trying to hold back the sobs. She couldn't believe she had let them go off and face Eli. Ron had told her no what ifs but she couldn't help it. What if he hurts them? What if he does what he did to her, to them? What if they found out the secret she was keeping even from Ron? What if he told them? Told them what she wanted to forget. What she never wanted anyone to know. Didn't want him to know. What if…

Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Hermione?" Ginny's voice calls. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be down in a moment." Hermione replied trying to keep her voice steady but failing miserable at it.

"I'm coming in." Ginny said and she opened the door. "Hermione what's wrong?"

"I'm just worried about them." Hermione said sitting up but not letting go of the blanket she was gripping.

"Don't worry about them, Hermione. This is not a huge mission they are going on. Nothing compared to seventh year." Ginny said sitting on the edge of the bed with Hermione.

"I know it's just I'd never forgive myself if one of them got hurt." Hermione replied tears welling up again.

"I know Hermione. And they won't get hurt there are four of them. They can handle themselves plus with Kingsley as Minister of Magic and Dad being his best friend it would be foolish to do anything to hurt him, don't you think." Ginny asked smiling a little.

"You're right Gin. I'm just full of extra emotions right now." Hermione laughed.

"I know same goes for me. But Hermione is their something you're not telling me?" Ginny asked perceptively.

Oh no. Hermione thought. She can't know there is no way for her to know.

"No Ginny. Why do you ask?" Hermione asked wiping at her eyes.

"No reason you just seem a little too upset about this." Ginny said looking at her curiously.

"Oh. Like I said hormones." Hermione said with a laugh then she stood. "Let's go downstairs and visit with your mum."

"Alright. But I'll find out what you're hiding." Ginny said standing and walking out the door.

"I hope you never have to know." Hermione whispered before leaving the room.

Ron

Ron stepped out of the fireplace and was standing in the sitting room of Eli and what used to be Hermione's home. There was no one in the room Ron stepped aside just as Harry came out of the fireplace. Two more flashes of green flames and George and Mr. Weasley were there as well.

"Hello?" Mr. Weasley called before entering the room any farther.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" Eli asked his eyes glaring angrily at Ron.

"We've come for Hermione's things." Mr. Weasley said trying to stay calm.

"Why didn't she come herself?" Eli asked still glaring at Ron.

"She would just prefer we did it for her." Mr. Weasley was getting angrier by the second.

"Oh, so you just let her order you around? Well, don't worry you just have to put her in her place and she'll shut up." Eli said smugly staring at Ron. "I can give you some pointers if you…" He would have continued but Ron made a move to lunge at him. Harry caught one arm while George the other. Ron knew he shouldn't fight Eli but even the thought of him ever hurting Hermione made him sick. Eli took one step back but when he saw that Ron wasn't going to attack he became smug again.

"Just show us where her stuff is." Harry said lessoning his grip on Ron.

"No, I don't think I will why don't you just go get the little mud blood and bring her back here." Eli said staring at Ron again.

Was he really that thick? Ron thought. Could he not see how many people in the room loved Hermione? Could he not see that he was playing with fire?

"If you are not aware I'm Arthur Weasley, advisor to Kingsley, the Minister of Magic. So if you would cooperate it would be in your best interest." Mr. Weasley said no longer as calm as he was before.

"Is that a threat?" Eli asked looking at Mr. Weasley.

"If you believe a threat is necessary." Mr. Weasley replied simply.

"Her stuff is in the den and the bedroom." Eli grimaced. It was obvious that he knew it wouldn't be a smart decision to deny the men what they wanted.

"Good." Mr. Weasley said stepping farther into the room, the others followed.

Hermione hadn't been lying she had almost nothing. Her close didn't fill a whole dresser and she had about three books to her name.

"Where's her copy of Hogwarts a History?" Ron asked looking around the room.

"She got rid of that rubbish. Hogwarts is nothing." Eli said looking disgusted.

"What!?" Harry, George and Ron all responded angrily.

"Durmstrang that's the best wizarding school. I'd had enough of that Hogwarts." Eli replied still looking disgusted.

"You… You… Just give me wand." Ron said angrily he was trying to refrain from killing Eli right here right now.

"Her wand? You mean you're going to let her do magic?" Eli asked smugly.

"Yes. It's her right." Harry spat back. Ron could tell this was a sensitive subject for him.

"Ha! Her right as what a mudblood?" Eli scoffed.

"Don't you bloody…" George started but Mr. Weasley put a hand on his shoulder.

"Just hand it over." Mr. Weasley said holding out his hand. Eli glared but walked out of the room and returned with Hermione's wand. He thrust it into Mr. Weasley's hand.

"That's everything. Now get out of my house!" Eli growled.

"Fine with me." George replied and he grabbed an armful of things and appareted back to the burrow since he could not go straight to Ron's house from Eli's. Harry was next he grabbed the books and followed George.

They had taken all the stuff so all Ron and Mr. Weasley had to do was leave. They took a step away from Eli and went to make their exits.

"You should know. Crucio works best on her." Eli said suddenly.

Ron almost threw up he couldn't believe his ears, Eli had used Crucio on Hermione? He was furious as he made a move for his wand he saw his father's flash out first. He mumbled a spell under his breath and Eli was on the ground. Ron looked at his father surprised.

"If you ever come near my daughter again I swear your fate will be far worse!" Mr. Weasley spat angrily. He moved his wand and turned and looked at Ron. "Go." Mr. Weasley said flatly. Ron obeyed. He popped in front of the burrow and heard is father appear right next to him.

"Dad." Ron said not knowing what to say.

"Did you know?" Mr. Weasley asked anger still evident in his voice and body language.

"No she didn't tell me." Ron replied and with that he started towards the door of the burrow. Part of him wanted to hold Hermione in his arms because he knew all she'd been through and part of him wanted to yell at her for not telling him, for putting up with it. Mr. Weasley followed swiftly behind him when Ron reached the door knob he turned it and through the door open. Hermione was at the kitchen table with Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Ron met her eyes and he knew from the terror he saw there that she could tell that he knew.